For a long time, cruise ships were anchored because of the corona pandemic. Instead of island hopping, the potential guests switched to surfing the Internet.
Times change. Now you can hear the command “Cast off!” again at AIDA Cruises, Costa Crociere, TUI Cruises and other well-known cruise companies.
Winter cruises with modified safety protocol
With adapted and newly developed health and hygiene concepts, the cruise ships are picking up speed again. The prerequisite: the guests and the entire crew go on board with full vaccinations and a negative PCR test, and tests are carried out regularly on the ships. Efficient emergency plans were also drawn up with the authorities in the target countries.
The selection of itineraries for winter cruises ranges from short four-day trips within Europe to almost four-month trips around the world. Passengers always enjoy a rich onboard program. These include theme restaurants, attractive bars, show stages, wellness areas, fitness centers, pools, sports areas and much more.
Current winter destinations in Europe
With the “Magnifica”, MSC Cruises offers, among other things, a 7-day European cruise from Hamburg to IJmuiden (Amsterdam), Zeebrugge/Belgium, Le Havre/France and Southampton/Great Britain. Long layovers guarantee trips to Amsterdam, Bruges, Brussels, Paris and London.
Norway Cruises - Winter Magic in the Arctic Circle
With a bit of luck, Norway lovers will see the magical northern lights in the cold season. TUI Cruises, for example, offers trips lasting between four and fourteen days. The cruises start and end in Bremerhaven.
Port stops on short trips through southern Norway include Oslo, Narvik, Stavanger or Bergen. On longer cruises, ship travelers experience wintry towns and fairytale coastal landscapes far beyond the Arctic Circle. The trips lead to North Cape with stops in Nordfjordeid, Tromsø, Honningsvag, Narvik and Bergen.
The shipping company's excursion program includes snowmobile rides, husky sled rides and hikes through Norway's wintry landscapes. Market stalls with hot drinks and warm snacks as well as an ice skating rink ensure additional winter fun on board.
Escape the winter cold on cruises
Warmth-loving holidaymakers can choose from a wide range of cruises. The routes lead to the vernal Canary Islands, the Cape Verde Islands tropical and subtropical zones, to the Caribbean or the Orient. Below are some examples from the current route plans and for the 2022/23 season:
Canary Islands:
Gran Canaria, La Gomera, Tenerife, Casablanca, Madeira, Lanzarote
Canary Islands - Morocco - Mediterranean Sea:
Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, La Gomera, Casablanca, Essaouira, Rabat, Cadiz, Majorca
Cape Verde Islands:
Santo Antao, São Vicente, Sal, Boa Vista, Santiago, Dakar
Caribbean Islands and Lesser Antilles:
Dominican Republic (La Romana, Samana, Santo Domingo), Basseterre, Antigua, St Maarten, Tortola, Aruba, Curaçao
California - Central America - Florida:
San Diego, Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, Puerto Quetzal, Puerto Corinto, Puerto Caldera, Panama Canal, Willemstad, Fort Lauderdale
Argentina – Cape Horn – Uruguay:
Buenos Aires, Punta del Este, Puerto Madryn, Cape Horn, Ushuaia, Beagle Channel, Punta Arenas, Montevideo
Mediterranean and Orient:
Mallorca, Cagliari, Heraklion, Haifa, Suez Canal, Salalah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi
Hong Kong - Vietnam - Bangkok - Singapore:
Hong Kong, Halong Bay, Chan May (Hue), Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City), Laem Chabang, Singapore
Many other destinations in warmer climates around the world help shorten the cold winter months aboard a cruise ship. These include, for example, the Bahamas and Bermuda, boat trips from Honolulu/Hawaii or boat trips from Mahé/Seychelles. Extended stays in the country make it possible to get to know the most beautiful nature reserves and national parks or to marvel at historical sights.
Princess Cruises Island princess before Huatulco
Dream trip around the world with Island Princess
Dreamlike cruises around the globe are available for the next winter season. To name one: On January 5, 2023, Princess Cruises' Island Princess will begin her round-the-world cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The journey leads to Colombia, through the Panama Canal to the western ports of Central and North America. From Los Angeles the journey continues in the direction of Hawaii, the South Sea Islands and Australia.
This will be followed by port stops in Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Dubai, among others. Coming from the Red Sea, the ship passes the Suez Canal, after which it cruises in the Mediterranean Sea. After a detour to the Canary Islands and Casablanca, the journey ends after 111 nights at the starting port of Fort Lauderdale. Depending on availability, partial routes are offered.
